Revenge Read online

  T.K. Eldridge

  Revenge

  The Descendants - Book Three

  First published by Graffridge Publishing 2019

  Copyright © 2019 by T.K. Eldridge

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  T.K. Eldridge asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  T.K. Eldridge has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

  History and facts have been adjusted to fit the story. Have fun with it!

  First edition

  Cover art by Pixie Covers

  This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

  Find out more at reedsy.com

  To all the dreamers who dream of that ‘someday’.

  Don’t quit.

  To Elisabeth, Maureen, & Olivia - always my daughters, no matter what.

  “What goes around, comes around.”

  - C.S. Eldridge

  “The best revenge is a life lived well.”

  (variation on quote by George Herbert)

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by T.K. Eldridge

  Chapter 1

  Cullen stood barefoot in the circle with some of the most powerful people in the United States. A full moon shone down as they surrounded the figure of the US Vice President, Edmund Matthews. Beside Edmund stood Mirabelle Legarde, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. They were here for Lammas, the first harvest festival of the witch’s calendar – a celebration of the ripened fruit and grains. It was also a time to strengthen protections against evil, and one of the reasons why they were all here.

  On one side of Cullen stood his brother, Connor, the leader of the Garda. On the other side stood his fiancee, Emlen, the daughter of the current President of the United States, and publicly known as the fiancee of the Vice President. Edmund’s true partner, Patrick, stood beside Emlen. Scattered around the circle were a second Justice of the Supreme Court, the liaison between the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, members of the US Congress, leaders of several Intelligence agencies, and multiple members of law enforcement. Family and friends were also present, including Susan Martin, Emlen’s honorary aunt and friend of her late mother, Camille.

  Edmund stood in the center, holding a silver bowl filled with jewelry, while Mira held her hands over the bowl. Recharging the protection spells on the pieces all at once was easier on the caster. Using the full circle and full moon energy meant they’d be even more effective. Considering what they were all up against? The additional power would be needed. Cullen knew that John Frederick Jackson, the President of the United States and the true head of the Order of St. Michael, would continue to be a formidable enemy until they took him down.

  Once the ceremony ended and the circle opened, people wandered about the space, enjoying fresh-baked bread, wine, and cider. Platters were laid out on several tables, bearing fruit, cheese, and meat. Some took plates and sprawled on the grass while others sat at the tables. Torches and landscape lighting added to the moonlight, making it easy to see. The half-acre far in the back of Mayfield, Edmund and Patrick’s Maryland estate, had been walled in with old brick, a few plantings and a wide brick circle path that hid the true purpose of the sacred space. In the center, a star-shaped fountain rose about waist high that, laid over with a board and cloth, made a perfect altar space.

  Cullen got himself a drink and a plate, taking a seat next to Emlen at one of the tables.

  Emlen stopped talking to Mira long enough to lean over and kiss Cullen’s cheek. “Hey hon. You doing okay?”

  “I’m good. Still absorbing the experience,” Cullen replied.

  “Your first circle?” Mira asked, dipping a wedge of apple into warm caramel sauce.

  “Yeah. I didn’t know it would feel like that. That I’d feel what I did,” Cullen stumbled a bit on the words and took a sip of wine before continuing. “It was beautiful and sacred, like watching the priests arrange communion at Mass, but I felt it more. The power rushing through my feet into my whole body.”

  “You’re a witch, Cullen. You’re going to feel it, every time. It may not be as intense every time – we’ve got some seriously powerful people here tonight, but you will feel it,” Mira told him.

  “It’s not just the power,” Cullen replied. “I mean, if anyone had told me a year ago that I’d be sitting next to my fiancee, talking to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court about magic in the Vice President’s back yard, I would have arrested them for being a drug user.”

  Emlen chuckled and even Mira laughed a bit.

  “Well, nothing like diving into the deep end for you, eh, Cullen?” Mira said.

  “I wouldn’t have believed the changes in the past year of my life either,” Emlen told them.

  “Change is coming fast and furious for all of us,” Mira said. “Hopefully, we’ll make sure those changes are in our favor. Thomas has made great strides with Connor in setting up the Paranormal Law Enforcement Alliance. They’ve managed to get some of our Intel folks as well as one or two from MI5, MI6, and Mossad on board.”

  “Now that’s impressive,” Emlen said. “I know Connor didn’t want to give up his position with the Massachusetts State Police, but ever since the late Cardinal passed the Garda on to him, he hasn’t stopped.”

  “My brother needs faster roller-skates,” Cullen teased as the man himself dropped into a seat next to his brother.

  “Why do I need roller-skates?” Connor asked, making himself a sandwich out of the offerings on the platter.

  “To keep up the insane pace of your lifestyle now,” Emlen replied.

  “No kidding, huh?” Connor said, taking a huge bite of the sandwich.

  “Easy, man, you’ll choke,” Cullen teased.

  “How’s it really going, though?” Mira asked Connor.

  “Better, now that Thomas has Elisabeth helping. I know he’s here tonight, but he’s mostly been staying at The Hague while she handles the UN side of things.”

  “I’m glad she took the job,” Mira said. “She has a brilliant legal mind and a gift with diplomacy.”

  “I’m glad she did, too,” Connor replied. “I had started to worry about Thomas being stretched too thin. Basing myself in Boston has made it easier for me to get here or to New York when needed. But I’m no good in the Netherlands and I think Thomas slept only on flights back and forth. Everything’s taking shape though. We just need to keep Jackson from finding out and blowing it up.”

  “Does he have
enough pull to do that?” Cullen asked.

  “If he influenced the right people, he could screw the whole thing up for a while,” Emlen replied. “That telepathy influence thing he does is insidious.”

  Cullen refilled Em’s mug of warm apple cider and slid a couple of brownies in front of her. “I saved you two.”

  Em smiled at him. “Thanks, luv. I wanted chocolate but I also want to sleep.”

  Mira watched them both with a smile, then frowned as she gave Em a closer once-over. She leaned close to Emlen and whispered in her ear, then pulled back to look at her face. Emlen paled, grabbed Mira’s hand and the two walked away from the table.

  Cullen started to rise and Connor tugged on his brother’s sleeve. “Women’s business, leave it.”

  “But…” Cullen started and Connor cut him off again.

  “I said leave it. Em’s fine. She’ll come back for the brownies, at least,” Connor teased his brother. “By the way, congrats on the engagement. Ma and Da are over the moon happy.”

  Emlen had heard the words Mira whispered to her, the truth she’d been trying to avoid came crashing down. “I can’t be. Not now,” Em said.

  “Unfortunately, timing has never been something babies pay attention to,” Mira replied. “Did you not know?”

  “I suspected, but with everything else going on, I didn’t want to think about it.”

  “Well, now you need to think about it. Any idea how far along you are?”

  “No more than six weeks, maybe as few as four. How could you tell?” Emlen asked.

  “Your aura, the power around you. It has changed since we first met. A new glow, centered around your belly.”

  “Okay, so not something the average magical person could detect?”

  “No, not many will be able to see it. Maybe three people here tonight, total.”

  Emlen let out a slow breath. “Good, that means JJ won’t be able to tell.”

  “No, and not any of the lackeys close to him either,” Mira said.

  “So I have some time.”

  “With a first, you probably won’t even start to show until about six months in, so yes, you have time.”

  “Well, I guess we have a countdown clock on getting things done – because if JJ finds out I’m pregnant and doesn’t believe the child is Edmund’s, I’m dead.”

  “Who are you comfortable with letting in on the secret?” Mira asked.

  “Let me tell Cullen first, and then Edmund and the rest. Just the inner circle, if you don’t mind?”

  “Can you tell Cullen tonight so we can let the others know tomorrow at the meeting, before everyone goes back to work?”

  “I will tell him tonight,” Emlen said, a hand sliding over her belly as a slow smile of wonder lit her face. “Wow, I’m going to be a mom.”

  Mira laughed and hugged her. “You’re going to be an amazing mom, and I’m claiming honorable auntie status right now.”

  “Auntie? How about godmother and auntie?” Emlen asked, hugging back.

  “You’ve got it, Em. Whatever you need.” Mira kissed her forehead and turned to lead her back to the table.

  Emlen glanced over at Mira and squeezed her hand. The older woman stood a touch taller than Em, slender and fit with silver-white hair in short braid that hung between her shoulders. Dusky skin and bright green eyes showed Mira’s Cajun heritage as she settled back in her seat at the table. Em leaned over and tugged Cullen’s hand, “Come walk with me for a moment?”

  Mira smiled up at them both and lay a napkin over Emlen’s brownies. “I’ll protect your dessert. Hurry back.”

  Cullen rose at Em’s tug and they walked towards the section of wall nearest them, out of audible range of anyone. “Are you okay, Em?” he finally asked.

  “I’m good. In fact, now that it’s starting to sink in, I’m really good,” Em replied.

  “Now that what is sinking in?”

  Emlen bit her lower lip, then said, “I’m pregnant.”

  Cullen blinked and his gaze went from her face to her belly then back up to her face. “Are you sure?”

  Em nodded. “Mira can see the energy difference in my aura. It also explains why I’ve been so tired the past few weeks. I thought it just from all of the stress and chaos.”

  Cullen’s expression slowly slid into a huge smile. He wrapped his arms around Emlen and kissed her, then spun her in a tight circle before putting her back down. Her cry of surprised laughter brought the attention of a few their way, but no one came over to interrupt.

  “I’m going to be a dad!” Cullen said, laughing low. He hugged Em for a moment longer then stepped back a pace as the smile faded. “Oh, wait a minute. Now what do we do?”

  Emlen gave a small snort of laughter and replied, “We will be having a baby in about thirty-four weeks. That’s what we do. But yeah, I get what you’re asking. Mira said we’ll have a meeting tomorrow morning with the inner circle and let everyone know so we can discuss moving up the timetable.”

  Cullen let out a huff of breath. “We need to take care of this so I can marry you before the baby comes.”

  “We need to take care of this before JJ finds out and tries to kill me,” Emlen replied.

  “About how…”

  “Mira says I have until about six months in, as this is my first, before I start to really show. I can hide it with loose clothes and such as much as possible. If JJ knows I’m pregnant and it’s not Edmund’s, I’m as good as dead.”

  Cullen gripped her hand almost too tight. “We won’t let anything happen to you or our child. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Susan approached the two of them just then and reached out to give Emlen a hug. “Thank you for inviting me tonight. I’ve missed a true circle celebration.” The glow of happiness around her showed the truth in her words.

  “I’m so glad you could be here,” Emlen replied. “Did I hear you were going to stay with a friend at the coast for a few days?”

  “Yes, my friend from college, Angelica, is here. She invited me to her beach cottage. I’ll be sure to stop back at Mayfield before heading back to Boston. Thank you again, dear girl,” Susan kissed her cheek and then hurried off to catch up to her friend.

  Cullen leaned down to kiss her again just as Em’s stomach growled. They both burst into laughter.

  “I think your son wants brownies,” Emlen told him.

  “Or your daughter,” Cullen teased. “Let’s go feed you both.”

  Chapter 2

  The next morning, brunch was served in the conservatory at the back of Mayfield manor. All of the inner circle that were in town had stayed overnight. They gathered around the glass-topped table, enjoying the delicious selection set out for them. Edmund and Patrick sat at one end of the large oval with Mira and Thomas at the other. Cullen, Emlen, and Connor sat along one side while Stefan and Kate sat across from them. Emlen had met Kate before but this had been the first time she had a chance to sit down and talk to her. In her late forties, Kate boasted long, thick, dark hair and dark brown eyes. She looked closer to thirty than fifty and tended to use her hands when she spoke. Kate also acted as the Managing Editor for Digital, Photography, and Social Media for the Washington Press, which meant she could help spin anything and everything.

  Stefan neared Emlen’s age, mid-twenties, and while he had the lowliest job title, he also had the most access to Congress. He served as an intern for Edmund’s office which also allowed him access to the House and Senate. Running errands, doing research, Stefan had the ability to hear and see things the rest of them would miss. A short cap of blond hair and dark blue eyes, he looked like a skinny kid who thrived on caffeine and running. Stefan was the coven’s secret weapon for sure.

  Edmund Matthews had been a second term Senator when the team had blackmailed the President into making him his Vice President. That had been a few weeks ago, and he and Patrick, his life partner and Chief of Staff, had moved into the Observatory, the traditional residence for the VP. No one outside the
coven group knew that Patrick and Edmund were handfasted – and they were keeping it that way. The public, and the President, were all under the impression that Emlen and Edmund were engaged to be married. Edmund was also the brother of Elise Matthews Jackson, the President’s late wife and Emlen’s stepmother. Elise had been killed on the Summer Solstice while at Cullen’s house in Muckle Cove. The previous head of the Garda, Cardinal Liam McKinsey, had arranged her murder. The President, merely the VP at the time, had known the plan, and also knew Elise had been six months pregnant with his son.

  A week or so later, Jackson had staged a great cover story by having Emlen visit him at the White House the same day he’d arranged to have a missile hit the Oval Office, killing Hugh Bannerman, the President. It had been that attack that allowed the coven to blackmail Jackson into making Edmund his VP before he had been sworn in. Yet all the evidence they had right now qualified as circumstantial. They needed solid proof to get Jackson out of office and he had so far proved slick enough, powerful enough, to make that a difficult task.

  Connor put down his fork and leaned back with his coffee. “So, it has been decided that perhaps our best next move would be to take down Reginald Dunleavy and his cadre at the Order. We know Jackson is the real leader, but with his figurehead disabled, it should cause him some issues.”

  “I’ve compiled a few dossiers on the upper echelon of the Order and I’ll have them sent to each of you. We should consider building a case to have them all taken down en masse due to corruption and criminal enterprises,” Mira said.

  “Except that will take a long time, and we don’t have a long time,” Emlen said. “We need to take down Jackson in the next few months – before I start showing.” She reached out and gripped Cullen’s hand, then looked back at the rest of the table. Mira smiled, lifting her orange juice glass in a toast, and then the table erupted with cheers and congratulations. As much as this pregnancy upended their timetable, it was a joyous event to celebrate. Hugs for Emlen, handshakes for Cullen and a lot of chatter derailed the conversation for a few minutes.